The People and PLanet list was not originally intended to be proscriptive but a helful starting point for student societies. the research that went into it was massively helpful to the YUSU exec, and P and P have certainly never ‘held YUSU to ransom’. As one of the YUSU environment and Ethics officers, I was one of the people involved in the decision to use starworld as a supplier, so perhaps I can offer some insight.

Some of the main concerns about Gildan were over allegations of closing plants on a days notice, and reports of aggressive Union-busting over the last few years. Although the company have made some good steps forward in their policy, these issues were very worrying - attempts to stop workers unionising are usually a sign that other working rights are being abused.

Starworld, from what we can tell, are slightly different in set up. Although the difference in price is minimal, Starworld have far fewer overheads because their entire chain of production is in one site in Egypt (while Gildan, Hanes and Fruit of the Loom will have each stage in different countries, having to provide profits at every stage of production and having to pay for shipping between sites). From what we can tell they have saved on their infrastructure rather than their working conditions.

Research into these companies is obviously very complicated, and to an extent we are reliant on the examples of other organisations - Starwold are used by several NGOs like Oxfam, Banardos and People and PLanet themselves. Given that ethical merchandising is one of P and P’s national campaigns, we can be reasonably confident in our decision to endorse Starworld. If evidence emerges to the contrary we will of course have to reconsider.

People and Planet were more than happy to oblige by adding starwold to the list, as they would have been if they had been asked to add them earlier - the reason that Starworld had not previously been suggested was that based on previous prices they did not seem economically viable, and it was only when they were contacted for a bulk order quote that we realised they were. It was not a behind the scenes decision made by the society.

Next week a motion will be put to the UGM proposing that the YUSU E and E officers, in co-operation with other officers, research and maintain the list.

Sam Bayley hits the point bang on the head though. Why is Starworld more ethical than Gildan? The decision seems to have happened behind the closed doors of P&P with no accountability, and allowing YUSU to continue to be held hostage like this is undermining the democracy of our own SU :/

And we did listen to the Carnage rep, who told us that the t-shirts weren’t ethically sourced - straight from the horse’s mouth.

You’ll also remember that we didn’t think the event fitted in with our welfare policy and some of the photos on the Carnage website illustrated that quite well.

So I think we’ll stick with our event formula, which generally sells out and still manages to offer much better value to students (such as free entry to Gallery or Toffs), thanks all the same.

PS. Seeing as you don’t seem to be on the student database, are you just another alias for John Thomas, Sarah Collins, Adrian Bolton or Ryan K?

Only 1 problem…..the absolute morons than try to run this SU should have listened to Carnage people a few months ago. Their t-shirts are from exactly the same company…Starworld! I have 3 of them from their other events in the country, the labels are the same!

I should imagine however that due to scale of economy, they were offering these SAME t-shirts to YUSU cheaper! The same damn t-shirts that the morons in charge of YUSU payed over the odds for!

Well done!

Very poor journalism in my opinion.

And, Mr/s Raiding Viking, whilst the officers in question did attempt to come up with a correction to the policy last term, trying to get everyone to agree to something for submission is about as easy as trying to order merchandise in time for Viking Raid from the current motion’s list - which is to say, impossible.

‘thats is unless the team haven’t blown the budget on drugs and hookers a kin to last year’

and then the authors level of ignorance and blatant stupidity ruined any chance of me thinking it had be written by anyone other than a petty child.

YUSU should cancel the raid and make a substansial contribution to RAG as compensation, thats is unless the team haven’t blown the budget on drugs and hookers a kin to last year!!

The motion that has been put forward would hopefully still provide a strong ethical grounding while making it easier for events such as this to run effectively - so everyone wins - students, events organisers, and people affected by unethical clothing companies.